Granular material building assembly

ABSTRACT

A building assembly configured to assist in the preparation of material such as sand or snow for the subsequent sculpting or formation of an object therefrom. The present invention includes a body that has elements that are releasably secured to create an interior volume for receipt of sand or snow and subsequently be removed to expose the compacted sand or snow. The building assembly of the present invention includes a base member having external wall members surroundably mounted thereto creating the interior volume foe the sand or snow. Disposed within the interior volume are vertical support members that are secured to the bottom of the base member and extend upward therefrom. A top assembly is secured to the upper end of the vertical support members to ensure alignment thereof. The external walls are removable after filling the interior volume with sand or snow providing access to be sculpted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sculpting and building utilizing granular materials such as but not limited to sand, wherein the present invention provides a technique to receive a desired loose material and allows compaction thereof in order to provide a stable formation that can be subsequently sculpted.

BACKGROUND

Thousands of people either casually or for competition will engage in building objects with sand or snow. It is quite common for beachgoers to participate in the pastime of building a sand castle while on the beach. These sandcastles can be small fairly simple structures or can be quite complex and require a great deal of skill to complete. In addition to sand castles, beachgoers will create and sculpt many other objects that are similar to statues and other works of art. These large ornate structures take a lot of time and require manipulation of the sand in order to successfully execute the completion. Whether sculpting and building with sand or snow one issue can be compacting the material in order to ensure the desired consistency so as to successfully complete the desired sculpture or object.

One issue with constructing objects from sand is the granular nature of the sand. Many types of sand are quite granular and loose in form, which makes it difficult when trying to use to build an object and have its form maintained. Most casual beachgoers that have attempted to build a sand castle most likely have experienced a collapse in their structure when attempting to build a desired object. Beachgoers will attempt to utilize buckets and other similar devices to collect and compact sand in order to try to stabilize the volume of sand sufficiently for their desired structure. This works with minimal success and the volume of sand lacks internal support and most often will collapse.

It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide an assembly that is configured to receive therein an amount of granular or loose material such as sand or snow, wherein the present invention provides a technique to compact the material and further includes internal support members that assist in maintaining the structural integrity of the material ensuing removal of the assembly of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide an assembly operable to assist a user in building and/or sculpting with a loose material such as but not limited to sand or snow wherein the present invention includes a body wherein the body includes a base member at the lower end thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a building and sculpting assembly for use with loose building materials such as but not limited to sand wherein the base member includes a plurality of walls wherein the walls have protrusions on the exterior surfaces.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly operable to assist a user in building and/or sculpting with a loose material such as but not limited to sand or snow wherein the base member has an interior volume and a bottom wherein the bottom includes connection members extending upward therefrom.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a building and sculpting assembly for use with loose building materials such as but not limited to sand that further includes a plurality of vertical support members wherein the vertical support members are configured to releasably secure to the connection members present in the base member.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an assembly operable to assist a user in building and/or sculpting with a loose material such as but not limited to sand or snow that further includes a top member wherein the top member is operable to be releasably secured to the vertical support members distal to the base member.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a building and sculpting assembly for use with loose building materials such as but not limited to sand wherein the body of the present invention includes a plurality of external wall members that are operable to surroundably mount the base member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly operable to assist a user in building and/or sculpting with a loose material such as but not limited to sand or snow wherein the external wall members include an interior surface and an exterior surface wherein the interior surface includes cavities that are mateably coupled with the protrusions of the base member walls.

An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a building and sculpting assembly for use with loose building materials such as but not limited to sand wherein it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the external wall members could have a design on the interior surface thereof.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with one external wall member removed; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an external wall member; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base member of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a is a view of a vertical support member of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top member of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a view of a fastener for the external wall members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a granular material building assembly 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Now referring to the Drawings submitted as a part hereof, the granular material building assembly 100 includes a body 10 is manufactured from a rigid lightweight material such as but not limited to plastic. The body 10 includes a base member 15 wherein the base member 15 is comprised of a plurality of wall members 16 and a bottom 17 creating an interior volume 18. The base member 15 provides the structural bottom for the granular material building assembly 100. While the base member 15 is illustrated herein as being square in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the base member 15 could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the base member 15 of alternate shapes would have a different quantity of wall members 16. The base member 15 includes connection members 20 secured to the bottom 17 thereof. The connection members 20 are annular in shape and extend upward from the bottom 17 being perpendicular thereto. The connection members 20 include an opening 21 at the upper end thereof wherein the opening 21 provides access to the hollow interior volume 22. The configuration of the connection member 20 is operable to releasable secure to the lower end 51 of the vertical support member 50 as is further discussed herein. While four connection members 20 are illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the base member 15 could employ more or less than four connection members 20.

The base member 15 is configured to operably couple to a plurality of external wall members 30. The external wall members 30 are releasably coupled to the base member 15 in order to create an interior volume 9 in which a desired material such as but not limited to sand can be placed. The external wall members 30 include an interior surface 31 and an exterior surface 32. The interior surface 31 has formed therein indentations 34 proximate the bottom end 35 of the external wall member 30. The indentations 34 are formed utilizing suitable techniques and are shaped and sized so as to mateably engage the protrusions 5 formed on the wall members 16 of the base member 15. The coupling of the indentations 34 and the protrusions 5 provide a technique to releasably secure the external wall members 30 to the base member 15. While two indentations 34 and protrusions 5 are illustrated on each side of the body 10 herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that more or less than a combination of two indentations 34 and two protrusions 5 could be employed to achieve the desired objective discussed herein.

The external wall members 30 include corners 37 formed at the appropriate angle so as to couple with the adjacent external wall member 30. For a square shaped base member 15 this corner 37 would be formed at forty five degrees but it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that for alternate shape base members the angle of the corner 37 would be different. The corners 37 include a plurality of apertures 38 formed along the length thereof. The apertures 38 are operable to receive fastener 60 therethrough. Fasteners 60 are operable to assist in maintaining the coupling of the external wall members 30 while a user is filling the interior volume 9 of the body 10 with a desired material. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the corners 37 of the external wall members 30 could employ alternate quantities of apertures 38 and fasteners 60 to achieve the desired objective discussed herein.

The granular material building assembly 100 includes a plurality of vertical support members 50 that are secured in the interior volume 9 of the body 10 prior to filling the interior volume 9 with a desired material. The vertical support members 50 are manufactured from a lightweight rigid material such as but not limited to plastic. The vertical support members as mentioned herein above include a lower end 51 that is operable to be journaled into the connection member 20. The vertical support member 50 is rod shaped and is formed to a length that is generally equivalent to the height of the body 10. Prior to filling the interior volume 9, a vertical support member 50 is inserted into each of the connection members 20 present on the base member 15. The formation and presence of the vertical support members provides a structural support for the material that will be disposed in the interior volume 9 of the body 10. While not particularly illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the vertical support members 50 could be manufactured from a transparent material in order to have a light source disposed therein so as to illuminate the completed structure from material such as but not limited to snow.

Proximate the upper end 52 of the vertical support members 50 a top assembly 70 is secured thereto. The top assembly 70 functions to ensure the maintenance of the upright position of the vertical support members 50. The top assembly 70 includes four receptacles 71 secured in formation with support members 72. The four receptacles 71 include lower ends 73 that are configured to be journaled into the opening 54 present at the upper end 52 of the vertical support members 50. The shape of the top assembly 70 is similar to the arrangement of the connection members 20 present on the base member 15 providing the desired vertical alignment and orientation of the vertical support members 50. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the top assembly 70 could be formed in alternate shapes, sizes and include alternate quantities of receptacles 71 based on the configuration and amount of connection members 20 present in the base member 15.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A material building assembly configured to assist in preparation of freeform building materials so as to permit sculpting and shaping thereof wherein the material building assembly comprises: a body, said body having an interior volume configured to receive a material therein, said body having a base member, said base member having a plurality of wall members and a bottom forming an interior volume of the base member; a plurality of external wall members, said plurality of external wall members having an upper end and a lower end, said plurality of external wall members configured to be operably coupled to said base member proximate the lower end of said plurality of external wall members, said plurality of external wall members configured to surroundably mount said base member; and at least two vertical support members, said at least two vertical support members having an upper end and a lower end, said at least two vertical support members being disposed in the interior volume of the body, said at least two vertical support members extending upward from said bottom of said base member, said at least two vertical support members operable to provide structural support for the material disposed within the interior volume of said body.
 2. The material building assembly configured to assist in preparation of freeform building materials as recited in claim 1, and further including at least two connection members, said at least two connection members being present on said bottom of said base member, said at least two connection members configured to couple to said at least two vertical support members.
 3. The material building assembly configured to assist in preparation of freeform building materials as recited in claim 2, wherein said wall members of said base member have at least one protrusion formed thereon extending outward therefrom.
 4. The material building assembly configured to assist in preparation of freeform building materials as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of external wall members have an interior and an exterior surface, said interior surface of said plurality of external wall members having an indentation formed therein configured to mateably engage said at least one protrusion.
 5. The material building assembly configured to assist in preparation of freeform building materials as recited in claim 4, and further including a top assembly, said top assembly configured to be releasably superposed the upper ends of the at least two vertical support members.
 6. The material building assembly configured to assist in preparation of freeform building materials as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least two vertical support members are hollow and have an opening at the upper end thereof.
 7. The material building assembly configured to assist in preparation of freeform building materials as recited in claim 6, wherein the plurality of external wall members have corners angularly formed to mate with adjacent corners of an adjacent external wall member.
 8. A building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow in order to be sculpted into a desired object wherein the building assembly comprises: a base member, said base member having a plurality of wall members and a bottom forming an interior volume of the base member, said plurality of wall members having an internal surface and an external surface, said external surface of each of said plurality of wall members having at least one protrusion formed thereon extending outward from the external surface; a plurality of external wall members, said plurality of external wall members having an upper end and a lower end, said plurality of external wall members configured to be operably coupled to said base member proximate the lower end of said plurality of external wall members, said plurality of external wall members configured to surroundably mount said base member, said plurality of external wall members having an indentation formed on an interior surface thereof proximate the lower end of the plurality of external wall members; a plurality of vertical support members, said plurality of vertical support members having an upper end and a lower end, said plurality of vertical support members having a hollow interior, said plurality of vertical support members being disposed in the interior volume of the body, said plurality of vertical support members extending upward from said bottom of said base member, said plurality of vertical support members operable to provide structural support for the material disposed within the interior volume of said body; and a top assembly, said top assembly configured to releasably secure to said upper end of said plurality of vertical support members, said top assembly having a plurality of receptacles configured to mateably engage an opening at said upper end of said plurality of vertical support members.
 9. The building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow as recited in claim 8, and further including a plurality of connection members, said plurality of connection members being disposed on said bottom of said base member, said plurality of connection members being annular in shape and having an opening configured to receive the lower end of said plurality of vertical support members.
 10. The building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of external wall members further include angularly formed corners.
 11. The building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow as recited in claim 10, wherein the angularly formed corners include a plurality apertures configured to receive a fastener therethrough.
 12. The building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow as recited in claim 11, wherein said base member is square in shape.
 13. The building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow as recited in claim 12, wherein the interior surface of the plurality of external walls includes an ornamental design formed therein.
 14. The building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow as recited in claim 13, wherein the plurality of vertical support members are manufactured from a transparent material.
 15. A building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow in order to be sculpted into a desired object wherein the building assembly comprises: a base member, said base member having four wall members and a bottom forming an interior volume of the base member, said four wall members having an internal surface and an external surface, said external surface of each of said four wall members having two protrusions formed thereon extending outward from the external surface, said base member further having four connection members disposed on the bottom thereof, said four connection member extending upward from said bottom; four external wall members, said four external wall members having an upper end and a lower end, said four external wall members configured to be operably coupled to said base member proximate the lower end of said plurality of external wall members, said four external wall members configured to surroundably mount said base member, said four external wall members having two indentations formed on an interior surface thereof proximate the lower end of the four external wall members, said two indentations configured to mateably couple with said two protrusions; four vertical support members, said four vertical support members having an upper end and a lower end, said plurality of vertical support members having a hollow interior, said four vertical support members being disposed in the interior volume of the body, said four vertical support members extending upward from said bottom of said base member, said four vertical support members operable to provide structural support for the material disposed within the interior volume of said body; and a top assembly, said top assembly configured to releasably secure to said upper end of said four vertical support members, said top assembly having a four receptacles configured to mateably engage an opening at said upper end of said plurality of vertical support members, said top assembly including support members horizontally disposed intermediate said four receptacles.
 16. The building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow as recited in claim 15, wherein the four vertical support members are manufactured from a transparent material.
 17. The building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow as recited in claim 16, wherein the lower end of said four vertical support members has a diameter that is less than that of the upper end to facilitate coupling with said four connection members.
 18. The building assembly configured to assist in preparation of material such as sand or snow as recited in claim 17, wherein said four external wall members include angularly formed corners having apertures formed therein so as to receive fasteners. 